Japan Hopes To Hold Economic Talks With U.S.

Japan hopes to hold economic talks with Washington in October, Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Thursday.

Aso also told reporters shortly before he was formally reappointed to his post in a cabinet reshuffle that the upcoming talks could also include the issue of safeguard tariffs Japan has imposed on frozen beef from the United States and some other countries.

“Because I am going to be reappointed, I’m hoping to conduct rough preparations with Vice President (Mike) Pence in September and hold a formal talk in October,” Aso said.

Aso and Pence have led a U.S.-Japan economic dialogue, which kicked off in April to discuss trade and investment and economic policies of the both countries.

The upcoming talks could also include the issue of safeguard tariffs Japan has imposed on frozen beef from the United States and some other countries.